tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70670751246328386332017-03-10T04:58:39.949-08:00Geezer Graduate"...a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-41264644190721495632013-07-27T20:21:00.001-07:002013-07-27T22:25:17.103-07:00+ULFBERH+T <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k4mjPN4Mki4/UfSPEvn1PWI/AAAAAAAAAnw/Mjw5-dK78Kk/s1600/NOVA_SOVS_ulfberht_t614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k4mjPN4Mki4/UfSPEvn1PWI/AAAAAAAAAnw/Mjw5-dK78Kk/s1600/NOVA_SOVS_ulfberht_t614.jpg" /></a></div> <p>Interesting PBS program about Viking swords. Of the 44 inspected in modern times, 33 were fake. The fake ones were spelled incorrectly. (The last "+" was in the wrong spot.) They also had about 1/3 the carbon of the real ones, making them brittle.</p> <p>"In a world of mud and trees and rock, you have the polished metal. And that was different."</P> <p>I love near the end, how the letters appear, seemingly through magic, after the acid wash. Amazing, what some dude in Wisconsin can make. (Only $7,500, if you're interested.)</p> <p>http://<a href="http://www.doorcountyforgeworks.com/NOVA.html">www.doorcountyforgeworks.com/NOVA.html</a></p> http://<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXbLyVpWsVM">www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXbLyVpWsVM</a>Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-37526555963181619402013-03-20T15:47:00.001-07:002013-03-20T16:04:59.346-07:00Dead Sara/Muse <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UyrcQJOp30/UUo68u79xTI/AAAAAAAAAmw/_4D6bdhjhaU/s1600/dead+sara.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3UyrcQJOp30/UUo68u79xTI/AAAAAAAAAmw/_4D6bdhjhaU/s320/dead+sara.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QguVV7Cku1E/UUo7AG7xv7I/AAAAAAAAAm4/KupBmDYrCf0/s1600/muse,+pyramid.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QguVV7Cku1E/UUo7AG7xv7I/AAAAAAAAAm4/KupBmDYrCf0/s320/muse,+pyramid.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EM5gE7fF2Kw/UUo7DWr_nnI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/CqumUc_bNEE/s1600/iphone+lights%252C+dead+sara+and+muse.MOV" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EM5gE7fF2Kw/UUo7DWr_nnI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/CqumUc_bNEE/s320/iphone+lights%252C+dead+sara+and+muse.MOV" /></a> <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IjT7IBcImYA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-76755116558953381402013-02-22T17:29:00.001-08:002013-02-22T17:29:08.407-08:00Concert Lighter: FGS Bayern D183<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttzGIbVWV2k/USgZADpTmbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/UTeGS4n5uNI/s1600/fgs+bayern+lighter.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ttzGIbVWV2k/USgZADpTmbI/AAAAAAAAAmc/UTeGS4n5uNI/s320/fgs+bayern+lighter.jpg" /></a> Everyone needs a Concert Lighter. That is, a lighter used just for concerts. I'll confess to taking this one to work. (I needed to shrink some "heat shrink" material, and thought this would be a cool way to do it.) But this puppy is for special occasions. After a quick stop to pick up fluid and flints, I'm on my way to the Dead Sara / Muse show tomorrow. No one I work with has ever heard of D.S. Most have never heard of Muse. WTF? Anyway, here's the embed for Dead Sara's version of Janis Joplin's "Blue Was the Feeling For You." <iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f_A_R5UR8jU?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-61272677579875727052012-12-24T18:49:00.003-08:002012-12-24T18:49:54.269-08:00In Hoc Anno Domini<br /><div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 36px;">p<a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324461604578195251401168178.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_AboveLEFTTop">http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324461604578195251401168178.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_AboveLEFTTop</a></span></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">When Saul of Tarsus set out on his journey to Damascus, the whole of the known world lay in bondage. There was one state, and it was Rome. There was one master for it all, and he was Tiberius Caesar.</div><a href="" name="U90254919041DMH" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 10px;"></a><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">Everywhere there was civil order, for the arm of the Roman law was long. Everywhere there was stability, in government and in society, for the centurions saw that it was so.</div><a href="" name="U90254919041YOF" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 10px;"></a><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">But everywhere there was something else, too. There was oppression—for those who were not the friends of Tiberius Caesar. There was the tax gatherer to take the grain from the fields and the flax from the spindle to feed the legions or to fill the hungry treasury from which divine Caesar gave largess to the people. There was the impressor to find recruits for the circuses. There were executioners to quiet those whom the Emperor proscribed. What was a man for but to serve Caesar?</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">There was the persecution of men who dared think differently, who heard strange voices or read strange manuscripts. There was enslavement of men whose tribes came not from Rome, disdain for those who did not have the familiar visage. And most of all, there was everywhere a contempt for human life. What, to the strong, was one man more or less in a crowded world?</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">Then, of a sudden, there was a light in the world, and a man from Galilee saying, Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">And the voice from Galilee, which would defy Caesar, offered a new Kingdom in which each man could walk upright and bow to none but his God. Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. And he sent this gospel of the Kingdom of Man into the uttermost ends of the earth.</div><a href="" name="U90254919041XOG" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 10px;"></a><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">So the light came into the world and the men who lived in darkness were afraid, and they tried to lower a curtain so that man would still believe salvation lay with the leaders.</div><a href="" name="U90254919041RPD" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 10px;"></a><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">But it came to pass for a while in diverse places that the truth did set man free, although the men of darkness were offended and they tried to put out the light. The voice said, Haste ye. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness come upon you, for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">Along the road to Damascus the light shone brightly. But afterward Paul of Tarsus, too, was sore afraid. He feared that other Caesars, other prophets, might one day persuade men that man was nothing save a servant unto them, that men might yield up their birthright from God for pottage and walk no more in freedom.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">Then might it come to pass that darkness would settle again over the lands and there would be a burning of books and men would think only of what they should eat and what they should wear, and would give heed only to new Caesars and to false prophets. Then might it come to pass that men would not look upward to see even a winter's star in the East, and once more, there would be no light at all in the darkness.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">And so Paul, the apostle of the Son of Man, spoke to his brethren, the Galatians, the words he would have us remember afterward in each of the years of his Lord:</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.</div><a href="" name="U90254919254LBI" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 10px;"></a><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.5em; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;"><em>This editorial was written in 1949 by the late Vermont Roysterand has been published annually since.</em></div><div class="articleVersion" style="background-color: white; color: #7e7e7e; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 1.2em; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 8px; margin-right: 8px; padding: 0px;">A version of this article appeared December 24, 2012, on page A12 in the U.S. edition of The Wall Street Journal, with the headline: In Hoc Anno Domini.</div>Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-593557266748252052012-12-24T18:39:00.000-08:002012-12-24T18:39:20.578-08:00snow in LA...<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rPpOapCOjr8?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-34585174230932444732012-09-06T22:30:00.001-07:002012-09-06T22:31:25.660-07:00Dead SaraI don't think I've been so enthusiastic about a new band since the early 90's, when grunge was big. &nbsp;Check out the player, where they have three free songs.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.deadsara.com/">http://www.deadsara.com/</a><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.deadsara.com/player.html">http://www.deadsara.com/player.html</a></div></div></div>Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-22413404072932668672012-08-25T19:12:00.000-07:002012-08-25T19:12:08.326-07:00Two ArmstrongsHow often is it that you have two Armstrongs in the news at once? &nbsp;Just sayin'....Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-10033185182343028762012-08-05T23:18:00.003-07:002012-08-05T23:18:58.083-07:00Curiosity has landedI almost slept through it. &nbsp;Interesting, that JPL really is in Pasadena, where "The Big Bang Theory" is set.Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-91387522977177005772012-07-28T23:00:00.004-07:002012-07-28T23:00:51.844-07:00<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TaITzi64Sw">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TaITzi64Sw</a>Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-12687314512559349742012-07-08T16:17:00.000-07:002012-07-08T16:23:20.422-07:00Big Rig<a href="http:////youtu.be/lJ45iaQgJjk">Big Rig</a> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lJ45iaQgJjk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Good movie.Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-16127007391384769912012-05-06T23:13:00.001-07:002012-05-06T23:27:59.634-07:00First Computer Build<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OxjLkQwX5EY/T6deRf7apWI/AAAAAAAAAlU/P44AzbTWEPs/s1600/computer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="241" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OxjLkQwX5EY/T6deRf7apWI/AAAAAAAAAlU/P44AzbTWEPs/s320/computer.jpg" /></a></div> New Computer. The big blue thing at the bottom is a low-speed intake fan. It's kind cool, though I'm a little worried that if I spill a drink into it it'll spew it inside the case.<br><br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sieHZbglvTk/T6delx0pwKI/AAAAAAAAAlg/XQlBu8yV74Q/s1600/computer%2Bwindow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="241" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sieHZbglvTk/T6delx0pwKI/AAAAAAAAAlg/XQlBu8yV74Q/s320/computer%2Bwindow.jpg" /></a></div><br> You can see that in addition to a side intake fan, it also has a window. Sorry about the glare, but at least you can see some of the wiring and the side of the power supply up top.<br><br> As I didn't install a separate video card (yet) there's nothing really awesome to see inside, but I still like having that window. It's just really neat to be able to see inside. Actually, I can see all the way through the back as well, as the back has a fan with a wide grating that allows light through.<br><br> Hey, it's better than the beige case of my eight-year old workhorse.<br><br> Some thoughts: being my first build, this was a nerve-wracking experience. When I was installing the CPU into the motherboard my hands were shaking so badly I had to stop for a moment. I don't think I breathed until it finally dropped into its socket. (I was <i>so</i> worried about bending those pins.)<br><br> Also, I made a few mistakes, such as reversing the SATA cable to the hard drive. Funny, how they'll click into place either way but work only one way. Also, the 2X12 power plug to the motherboard has an extra 2X2 plug at its end. Though the 2X12 fit fine, the 2X2 has two little plastic tabs that wouldn't let it fit into its socket. I would have had to detach the 2X12 to get it in so I left it unplugged. As everything in the computer seems to be working fine I'm guessing that was the right decision.<br><br> As for getting online, that took almost an entire extra day. I talked to the guy from the cable company, and when he asked what "device" I was using to get online I told him I had no idea. I kept thinking it's a Gigabyte-brand motherboard and that's it. It wasn't until later that the conversation gave me the idea to look up the hardware on the motherboard. Right at the top of the computer's list it said "Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller: Driver missing". So, after firing up my old computer and switching my monitor and modem over to it I was able to go to the Realtek site, download the driver and install it on the new computer using a thumb-drive.<br><br> It was so cool when this thing finally got online. You should have seen me flexing and going "Oh, yeah!"<br><br> For any tech geeks out there the case is a Raidmax Typhoon. (It's listed as a "low cost" case. What an insult! ;-) The motherboard is a Gigabyte A75M-D2H. The CPU (APU?) is a quad-core AMD A6-3670k that runs at 2.7Ghz. (Not that I know what much of that really means.)<br><br> One thing I do know, is that the thing is SO much faster than my old computer. Of course the old girl is eight years old, and still fires up, so I can't really bash her much. After all, that computer got me through school!<br><br>Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-70683198917399869142012-03-19T22:38:00.003-07:002012-03-19T23:03:35.389-07:00Fox Soccer Song<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h_PKfoJQLmg?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h_PKfoJQLmg?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></object><br /><br />This is the song from the ads for Fox Soccer and Fox Soccer Plus. (The latter is basically The Rugby Channel, with Darts thrown in.)<br /><br /><br />The ad itself. I think it's probably the best minute in advertising today. I would have loved to have seen it air during the Super Bowl. I'm guessing it was too expensive, but perhaps the NFL doesn't want the competition?<br /><br /><br /> <iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31565602?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe>Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-42491007915489963532012-01-22T22:11:00.000-08:002012-01-22T22:23:31.894-08:00Let's Go On A CruiseVideo from the Pacific Sun, as she hits rough weather. It's tempting to say it's a funny video, but one woman really gets walloped at :50. Also, the guy at 1:30 just narrowly avoids getting killed.<br /><br />I can't get over how much is left unsecured on these ships. I'm guessing that because these ships resemble hotels their operators forget they're on the sea.<br /><br />Be sure to check out the rest of the blog. This guy has the most extensive analysis of the Concordia crash I've seen.<br /><br /><a href="http://gcaptain.com/video-cruise-ship-hits-rough/?17208">Rough Weather</a>Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-47805674277120857562011-12-24T19:31:00.000-08:002011-12-24T20:18:20.328-08:00A 36" Tree<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6DV8ms3-Hzs/TvacODwuE3I/AAAAAAAAAk8/MwPlv8j2nrA/s1600/smell%2Bthe%2Bglove.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6DV8ms3-Hzs/TvacODwuE3I/AAAAAAAAAk8/MwPlv8j2nrA/s320/smell%2Bthe%2Bglove.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689906944570954610" /></a><br /><br /><br />In a <i>This is Spinal Tap</i> moment, I accidentally ordered a 36" tree when I wanted a 36' one. Just as well. I have no idea how I would have gotten a 36-foot tree in here anyway.<br /><br />Ba-dump.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c8vXxEqysMg/TvafR7XYYkI/AAAAAAAAAlI/El-GE25XKxg/s1600/snowflakes.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c8vXxEqysMg/TvafR7XYYkI/AAAAAAAAAlI/El-GE25XKxg/s320/snowflakes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689910309571551810" /></a><br /><br />The big snowflakes are new this year. Also, I added a string of white bulbs hanging from the railing. Like the snowflakes they're LED's so they should last a long time.<br /><br />I looked around, and I seem to be the only one in the complex who has hung icicle lights. I have them hanging at the edges of the balcony, and over my sliding-glass doors. <br /><br />Anyway it's not too bad of a decorating job, considering I didn't even start until 4 pm today. (I watched the Bucs lose their ninth straight. Aargh!)<br /><br />As with last year, I figured I'd post "In Hoc Anno Domini," which the Wall Street Journal has published every Christmas Eve since 1949. It's not exactly cheerful, but it gives a good idea (I think) of what Christmas is all about.<br /><br /><br /><a href="//online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204464404577112431986005786.html?grcc=bba16f88e24f1b55773862199835a967Z3&mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_opinion">In Hoc Anno Domini</a><br /><br />So, I have presents to wrap. Also, like I do every year, I'm going to watch the midnight mass from St. Peter's. (No, I'm not Catholic, but they do this stuff up right.)<br /><br />So, Merry Christmas!Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-11176462375423592742011-12-20T09:58:00.000-08:002011-12-20T10:35:53.043-08:00Worst Since '87...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sDcLHUILH-I/TvDNXVlarfI/AAAAAAAAAkY/-2NmdSi-fUc/s1600/100_5711.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sDcLHUILH-I/TvDNXVlarfI/AAAAAAAAAkY/-2NmdSi-fUc/s320/100_5711.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688272130183704050" /></a><br /><br />Cowboys @ Bucs<br /><br /><br />Well, the Bucs are enduring their worst single-season slide since '87. However, if there's something to be learned from the win that the 1-13 Colts got over the Titans, it's that if you hold out long enough, things will turn around. (In a statement of faith, I went and bought a season ticket for next year.)<br /><br />Anyway, I toyed with the idea of wearing a bag over my head at the game. I'm glad I didn't, as Bucs fans were outnumbered about 2-1 by Cowboys fans. I didn't want to pile-on, especially as many Cowboys fans seem uniquely obnoxious.<br /><br />That said, some others are wearing bags. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bucsnation.com/2011/12/18/2644143/return-of-the-bags-could-fan-discontent-prompt-changes-for-the-tampa">Return of the Bag</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lqSmuhjwPc/TvDR-ltMubI/AAAAAAAAAkk/A1w5niM2QKo/s1600/Cowboys%2Band%2BDreadlocks.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1lqSmuhjwPc/TvDR-ltMubI/AAAAAAAAAkk/A1w5niM2QKo/s320/Cowboys%2Band%2BDreadlocks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688277202572720562" /></a><br /><br />It's kind of funny, but with all the Cowboys fans there, I didn't see any of them wearing an actual cowboy hat. It's as if the thought never occurred to them.Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-23511620577567764522011-11-07T09:49:00.000-08:002011-11-07T10:27:58.101-08:00Buccaneers Anonymous<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-naSuOffntwM/TrgfXeWn7UI/AAAAAAAAAkM/gLrfmdpDbvo/s1600/Bucs%2BBus.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-naSuOffntwM/TrgfXeWn7UI/AAAAAAAAAkM/gLrfmdpDbvo/s320/Bucs%2BBus.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672318218818547010" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"I have wept openly when the Bucs have lost. I have wept openly when the Bucs have won. I have wept openly when the Bucs have had a bye week. I do a lot of weeping, for I am a Bucs fan."</span><br /><br /><br />I guess this is as good a time as any to admit to buying a season ticket to the Bucs this year. They're blacked-out again this year (same as last) so it's the only way to see them. (Well, it's either that, or drive down to Fort Meyers, the closest market that's not blacked-out. But seeing as the driving distance is the same, why not just go see the damn game in person?)<br /><br />By a strange coincidence, one of the HR reps where I work is involved with the "Bucs Bus" pictured above. Though I walk by this bus on the way into every game I haven't seen her at any of them yet. I hear she messed up her knee so that might be the problem; she's been out of work for all this month. <br /><br />They have a website, with more pics. I don't quite see the point of having such a set-up. When I tailgate, I literally sit on the tailgate of my truck. But to each his own.<br /><br />Me, I'm wondering if they can even watch the game on their t.v. <br /><br />http://bucnraysbus.webs.com/Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-32861947828889423362011-09-23T09:58:00.000-07:002011-09-23T10:13:51.425-07:00Wrote page 200...considering MFAWell, I finally wrote page 200 in my novel. I started working on this thing probably five years ago, but had to take a break from it when I was going to school.<br /><br />Having accomplished this, it has made me seriously think about getting a Master in Fine Arts (MFA) in creative writing. It's not like I'm doing anything else interesting in my life. I've been working the same shitty, waiting-to-get-laid-off factory job for the past twelve years. I know my bachelor's in technical writing is worthless (they promote only young people at work), so I might as well pursue something I'm interested in.<br /><br />Okay, each course will cost about $1200. Maybe I'll just take one or two courses, see if it's worth the money. But still, at least it's a plan. <br /><br />There can't be too many 44 year-old machinists looking to get into the MFA program. So maybe I can get in on sheer "diversity" alone. ;-)Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-172740204176343892011-09-03T20:32:00.000-07:002011-09-03T20:33:14.957-07:00LHC Rap<object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/j50ZssEojtM&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/j50ZssEojtM&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-6004378034722632002011-07-27T23:46:00.000-07:002011-07-27T23:54:50.196-07:00Yell for Cadel!<a href="http://youtu.be/0KdYlEaZ6JE?t=2m30s">Yell for Cadel</a><br /><br />First time I've ever heard the anthem of Australia. I have no idea who the girl is, but she sings it well. She starts in around 2:45.Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-88636682313088629002011-07-03T20:40:00.000-07:002011-07-03T21:42:43.936-07:00Yet another surgery<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vfNkix7_3Q/ThE_f6KOS7I/AAAAAAAAAkE/yivG0aYvips/s1600/It%2Bwasn%2527t%2Ba%2Brash.....jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vfNkix7_3Q/ThE_f6KOS7I/AAAAAAAAAkE/yivG0aYvips/s320/It%2Bwasn%2527t%2Ba%2Brash.....jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5625347226983091122" /></a><br /><br /><b>It wasn't a rash after all....</b><br /><br /><br /><br />Back on Thursday, I had to get a carcinoma on my cheek removed through Mohs surgery. It's where they take off your skin in layers until they get to clean skin. <br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohs_surgery">Moh's Surgery</a><br /><br />Not sure how confident I feel about a procedure titled "Double PacMan" but there you go. At least the stats say this is pretty effective, around 95% plus.<br /><br />Anyway, the plastic surgeon who reconstructed my face had to take a skin graft from my clavicle to cover the area. So I have a big bandage on the side of my face now, where the carcinoma was, and a long strip of bandage going from below my neck to above my right shoulder, where he took the skin graft.<br /><br />From what the plastic surgeon said, there are stitches under both of these bandages. Frankly, I'm not looking forward to looking at myself in a mirror. Even after everything is healed up, the grafted skin won't look quite the same as the original. <br /><br />I guess I'm lucky, because if the cancer had gone deep enough in my face then it could have caused nerve damage, affecting my ability to smile. (It didn't, so I'm cool that way.) Also, the area is back on the side of my face, just in front of my ear, so it might not be all that noticeable anyway. <br /><br />Also, not to be facetious about this, but I am a guy. If I were a woman, I'd think this would pose more of a problem.<br /><br />After all, does anyone really think Guy Boucher is ugly?<br /><br /><a href="http://liveplaydie.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/ever-wonder-about-guy-bouchers-face-scar/">Lightning Head Coach</a><br /><br />Still though, this whole thing scared me. Hell, I just thought I had a rash. <br /><br />So, the moral of the story is to look out for yourselves...Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-66570769942380357742011-05-06T08:46:00.001-07:002011-05-10T10:50:08.732-07:00STS-134...Not! Also, other stuff.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qcBiwzsBnvQ/TcQZ5mcpa1I/AAAAAAAAAjo/eHuKYbS8Jno/s1600/outside.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qcBiwzsBnvQ/TcQZ5mcpa1I/AAAAAAAAAjo/eHuKYbS8Jno/s320/outside.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603632313719679826" /></a><br /><br /><b>Outside...</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaMENxyg4Mc/TcQYKxag4dI/AAAAAAAAAjY/ZXlpt51YRpM/s1600/gun%2Bsafe.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YaMENxyg4Mc/TcQYKxag4dI/AAAAAAAAAjY/ZXlpt51YRpM/s320/gun%2Bsafe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603630409698042322" /></a><br /><br /><b>Inside...</b><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MUxsFnAWXXM/TcQYKzeUSaI/AAAAAAAAAjg/oIoTj1Y5q6k/s1600/m-1%2Band%2Bmarlin.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 241px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MUxsFnAWXXM/TcQYKzeUSaI/AAAAAAAAAjg/oIoTj1Y5q6k/s320/m-1%2Band%2Bmarlin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603630410250865058" /></a><br /><br /><B>A closer-view of my World War Two era M-1. The Marlin is no slouch either; it's a .44 mag. They're both fun to shoot.</b><br /><br /><br /><br />So, you can see I finally bought a gun safe. After reading up as much as I could on the subject I settled on this one, a 10-gun Sentry. At less than $300 it's what some articles on safes call an "entry-level" safe, but I figure it'll do. It was the only safe at any of the local stores that was light enough for me to get up the stairs to my apartment. Also, it's light enough I don't have to worry about it falling through the floor. (The modular, $1200 Zanotti I considered buying weighs over two and a half times as much as this one.)<br /><br />Though a lot of safes now have digital locks instead of mechanical dials, I don't see the point of those. They seem to be a solution in search of a problem. This one works fine. <br /><br />In other news, I did not make the trip to see the launch of STS-134. Just as well as it got scrubbed, but also there were supposedly 750,000 people in attendance. When I saw the last launch there were "only" half as many people in the area yet traffic coming back was still horrible. Unless I could possibly get a room over there for a launch I won't be going back for any more; it's just too much of a hassle.<br /><br />As for why I missed the launch...in addition to having reservations about traffic and whatnot, I ended up getting some minor (outpatient) surgery done. Around five years ago I had either a horrible case of stomach flu, or maybe food poisoning. Regardless of the cause it gave me such bad stomach cramps that I actually gave myself a small muscle tear. For years I didn't notice anything except a small bump near my bellybutton. Well, it got worse so I finally went to a doctor.<br /><br />I had an "umbilical hernia". Turns out that's a weak spot in the stomach muscles, and it tore. My bowels were trying to go out through the hole. So, they put a piece of mesh in there. It's about 2.5 inches across. (Now that I think about it, you can repair holes in wallboard the same way.) They did it back on April 29th. It's an outpatient thing, so I was home the same day. And after the Percocet started working, I was feeling no pain. (I stopped taking the stuff two days later. By that time the pain had diminished greatly, and I was getting a bit tired of being stoned all the time.)<br /><br />Anyway,I'm out on disability until the 23rd of May. Other than the fact that I can't lift anything heavy until that time I'm fully functional, yet because my job entails heavy lifting I can't do it. Oh, well. <br /><br />Until that time I'm trying to stay busy working on my novel. I'm also spending time making some ammo, though I'm limiting myself to tasks that require no lifting, like cutting already-sized cases to length and re-priming them. By the time I'm well, I should have about 200 .45 ACP cases ready to be completed.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4zM2uAWGbE/Tcl3zN3paxI/AAAAAAAAAjw/rfScauyJfYI/s1600/priming%2B.45%2527s.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d4zM2uAWGbE/Tcl3zN3paxI/AAAAAAAAAjw/rfScauyJfYI/s320/priming%2B.45%2527s.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605142933019388690" /></a><br /><br /><B>100 cases, ready to be primed. I have another 100 that need some work before they get to this point.</b><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgB9qCn1WxA/Tcl498HxTwI/AAAAAAAAAj4/hvozepR0EJY/s1600/flash%2Bhole.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LgB9qCn1WxA/Tcl498HxTwI/AAAAAAAAAj4/hvozepR0EJY/s320/flash%2Bhole.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605144216745365250" /></a><br /><br /><b>Without a primer in the pocket you can see all the way through the case. They call this the "flash hole." This will be how the primer ignites the gunpowder. Fascinating, no?</b> <br /><br />Anyway, my enemy now is boredom. I'm not used to sitting around on my butt so much. Yesterday, I drove 30 miles just to buy two pounds of coffee. With the launch of STS-134 scheduled for the 16th, maybe I will drive over there after all....Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-66340334160593335702011-02-27T10:14:00.000-08:002011-02-27T10:38:49.768-08:00STS-133<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7JmtwpAgDw/TWqUwPG6WsI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/uwXP6HUdunY/s1600/sts%2B133.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J7JmtwpAgDw/TWqUwPG6WsI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/uwXP6HUdunY/s320/sts%2B133.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578434644861934274"></a><br /><br />I saw Discovery's launch for maybe twenty seconds, then it disappeared into some clouds. I did, however, get to see it through my 20x spotting scope. It looked pretty good, for the short period of time that I could see it.<br /><br />For the most part though, the trip wasn't really worth it. Traffic was so bad it took me five-and-a-half hours to get back. (It took only four to get there.) Honestly, if I'd had any sense I would have just gotten a motel room in Cocoa Beach and stayed the night. There are, after all, other things to do there.<br /><br />All the way back I told myself I'm not going to the next launch, but I probably will. There won't be any shuttle launches after that, so I'd hate to miss the last one. I'll just get a room.<br /><br />Also, there are other launches, as satellites and whatnot are always being sent up. Many are so unpublicized that you have to search the web to see when they're being launched. (More than once I've turned on NASA TV and been surprised at seeing a rocket going up.)<br /><br />So anyway, here's the video. I was looking through the scope, which is why the camera is just pointed in the vaguest of directions.<br /><br /> <iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzPktEI875HILu-xowaNfV8tqusNcHB501cwWRmMla0C6H23Sjya3gl88DuDaNFBEASWk2oetK0RzQzPl7IyA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' />Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-3972001892066265952011-02-23T08:20:00.000-08:002011-02-23T08:34:35.566-08:00RIP, Glass Shelf<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ik0NsrDwqvE/TWU0XwQ5cJI/AAAAAAAAAi4/VqcFBLa7y40/s1600/glass%2B1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ik0NsrDwqvE/TWU0XwQ5cJI/AAAAAAAAAi4/VqcFBLa7y40/s320/glass%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576921296265638034" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60TlYsB7an4/TWU0YCyfA4I/AAAAAAAAAjA/NhXeuRTq-vA/s1600/glass%2B2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60TlYsB7an4/TWU0YCyfA4I/AAAAAAAAAjA/NhXeuRTq-vA/s320/glass%2B2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576921301238350722" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJZOT_XDY-4/TWU0Ya2kbOI/AAAAAAAAAjI/_Ki-LBbmExo/s1600/glass%2B3.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dJZOT_XDY-4/TWU0Ya2kbOI/AAAAAAAAAjI/_Ki-LBbmExo/s320/glass%2B3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576921307697933538" /></a><br /><br /><br />I came home at 1am to find this. It took me until about 3am to clean it up. I still feel like a dumb-ass for putting too much on that shelf. And I still get a chuckle out of looking at these pics.<br /><br />Seriously though, that shelf was supposed to be able to handle 25 pounds. I don't think I had anywhere near that on there. (The only heavy unit is the stereo, and that's on the bottom shelf.)<br /><br />The glass was heavy, tempered stuff. I'm still surprised that it cut loose like this.Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-16265938994164344982011-02-06T21:42:00.002-08:002011-02-06T22:17:04.639-08:00RUGBY! (or, Wait...what?)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TU-HGwH73qI/AAAAAAAAAig/-OJ_PjQ31Wg/s1600/rugby%2B1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 172px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TU-HGwH73qI/AAAAAAAAAig/-OJ_PjQ31Wg/s320/rugby%2B1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570819814147743394" /></a><br /><br /><b>Wait...what?</b><br /><br />I just watched my first Rugby match. BBC America is carrying it every Saturday over the next month or so. Times start around 11:30am eastern time, 8:30am pacific.<br /><br />I'm hooked. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.bbcamerica.com/content/394/index.jsp">BBC America Six Nations Rugby</a><br /><br />I didn't quite get all the rules, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. It's a lot like our football, but tackling doesn't seem to do much as the person tackled can still toss the ball to the nearest teammate (though I guess if you hold his legs still, the ball becomes dead at that point.) And though I don't quite get the point of a "scrum" (one commenter said it looks like a cross between a tug-of-war and an orgy) I'm guessing it's something like a face-off in hockey.<br /><br />A few neat things: they don't stop play for much of anything. Except for maybe the halftime, I don't think there were even any commercial breaks. Even injuries are tended to while play is still in session, with the game sometimes going right over injured players and medical staff on the field.<br /><br />I actually enjoyed it more than the Super Bowl, which was sort of left me cold. (It's just another football game. Why all the hype? And I'm glad I'm not the only one who was underwhelmed by the Black Eyed Peas. Then again though, don't all halftime shows suck?)<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TU-LcdxiAiI/AAAAAAAAAio/JJkebH-VpMI/s1600/Rugby%2Bhosts.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 174px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TU-LcdxiAiI/AAAAAAAAAio/JJkebH-VpMI/s320/Rugby%2Bhosts.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570824585225568802" /></a><br /><br />BBC America has some neat hosts. Here they are with some American football player. (I can't remember his name.)<br /><br />And somehow, he got seated in front of an athletic supporter and a cup! Very nice. He was a good sport about it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TU-MHYYU2TI/AAAAAAAAAiw/d4qIekkfqhQ/s1600/jock%2Bstrap.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 188px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TU-MHYYU2TI/AAAAAAAAAiw/d4qIekkfqhQ/s320/jock%2Bstrap.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570825322512046386" /></a><br /><br />Anyway, Rugby has no pads, no real breaks, no commercials, and unlike soccer, no one fakes injuries because it doesn't do one any good to do so. If you haven't tried watching a game, give it a shot.Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7067075124632838633.post-34856381419702091692011-01-01T08:24:00.000-08:002011-01-01T09:40:54.797-08:00Old vs. New, pt. 2<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TR9V5EHJbZI/AAAAAAAAAh8/LJPvszjO4Oc/s1600/fireworks.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 241px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TR9V5EHJbZI/AAAAAAAAAh8/LJPvszjO4Oc/s320/fireworks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557254904043105682" /></a><br /><br /><B>Home-made fireworks. I make a good-looking round, don't I?</b><br /><br /><br />I went shooting the other day. I shot .45 ACP and .38 Special, 100 rounds of each. In terms of caliber, the .45 ACP has been around since 1905, the .38 Special since 1902. There have been no significant changes in their designs in a century, yet they work fine. I was certainly able to hit the target with both.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TR9fOdSfljI/AAAAAAAAAiE/ZvUi0maJCts/s1600/four%2Bguns.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TR9fOdSfljI/AAAAAAAAAiE/ZvUi0maJCts/s320/four%2Bguns.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557265167183484466" /></a><br /><br /><b>(I actually shot four guns, two of each caliber. It took three hours to clean them. Ugh. I gotta stop shooting so many guns at once.)</b> <br /><br /><br />Anyway, I don't totally want to bust on new things. For example, my 1911-type .45 is a classic design, yet has more parts than my .45 Ruger. This is because the 1911 hasn't been changed significantly since the 30's, while the Ruger is a more modern design.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TR9jnyLgOYI/AAAAAAAAAiM/xXyoZ-a9xdI/s1600/Ruger%2BP-97%252C%2Bstripped.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TR9jnyLgOYI/AAAAAAAAAiM/xXyoZ-a9xdI/s320/Ruger%2BP-97%252C%2Bstripped.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557270000334551426" /></a><br /><br /><b>Ruger P-97, stripped. Ain't much to it, is there?</b><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TR9kGtHo4MI/AAAAAAAAAiU/nrKLEvdQqbQ/s1600/Para%252C%2Bstripped.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bGwmwlmTncU/TR9kGtHo4MI/AAAAAAAAAiU/nrKLEvdQqbQ/s320/Para%252C%2Bstripped.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557270531552108738" /></a><br /><br /><b>Para 1911-type, stripped. Ain't a whole lot more, but I count two more parts to it than the Ruger has. Also, it's harder to strip as you pretty much need a tool to get it to this point.</b><br /><br /><br />So, not all modern things are crap. Still though, the improvement(s) of the Ruger over the 1911 are pretty slight; some people might even prefer the 1911. Also, the Ruger is based on the 1911 (almost all pistols today are).<br /><br />So, one could say that the Ruger <i>is</i> an old design. Though that's debatable, there's one thing that's not: barring natural disaster, both guns will be working long after both my t.v.'s have crapped out.Kirkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04490066658008967246noreply@blogger.com0